patch adams

i know this is a rough bunch of posts - after this, i'll probably eagerly go back to posting about things that don't matter as much, but know that this stuff is permeating the lives of those down here; it's near all we can think of.

here is friend of a friend's blog, a man who decided to "stick it out" during the hurricane. he's running everything off a generator, and posting by text message. there seems to be a lot of info here that isn't on the news re: looting, prisoner escape, and death tolls. i don't have a good world-view being here; are people as concerned up north as they are down here in LA?

today we're going to town - the casino people we're all working for have let us reshuffle our workshops, allowing us to get into the evac center and lend a hand instead of waste time. one of the people i'm with, alida, is also fascinated by everything going on and is eager to help - she's very kind. the united way may want us to do a show. there are 1800 people at the center with little to do (800 of which are children), and pressure to find things to do is high. the people here are urging us to act by sweetly telling us that we "have a gift", which i'm assuming is the gift of ye comedia. everyone believes in the power of laughter in healing (and distraction, moreover), but let's be frank - if some jagoff told me to watch a bunch of goofy bits while my house was underwater... maybe i'd feel differently about forward-reverse. we'll probably only do a show if people can choose to watch us in a quarantined space within the building, an optional thing maybe even for just the kids, rather than forcing it on people who aren't ready. that'd be gross. in any case, we hope to help out somehow tonight - even if it doesn't include jock jams and a whistle; or, i should say (let's be honest) - hopefully, it doesn't include jock jams and a whistle. we're prepared to do what they think is best.